Steering gear booster



Nov. 24, 1942. A, H, KEMPER 2,392,776

STEERIK IG GEAR BOOSTER Filed April 23, 1941' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1942- A. H. KEMPER STEERING GEAR BOOSTER F ile'd April 23, 1941 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 Iriventor AME/PT h. KEMPE/P.

A ttorney Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEERING GEAR BOOSTER Albert H. Kemper, Dayton, Ohio Application April 23, 1941, Serial No. 389,971

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in steering gear and more particularly to a booster for installation between the usual steering wheel and steering column.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a booster which will provide an increased ratio of drive between the steering wheel and steering column, to the end that a slight turn of the steering wheel will have a graduated movement in the steering column and the balance of the steering gear.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary side elevational view.

Figure 2 is a. top plan view.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes a steering column having a stationary housing 6. Extending at right angles to the housing 6 and at the upper end thereof is a gear case 1. In the large part of this gear case 1 is located a gear 8 which has a stub shaft 9 journaled in a thickened portion In of the case 1. To this gear 8 is secured a steering wheel H by U-clamps l2 passing over the spokes l3 of the wheel II.

The case 1 has a cover plate I! and this cover plate has a substantially large opening I5 therein through which the U-clamps l2 extend to connect the wheel I l with the gear 8.

Secured to a shaft l6 which has its ends journaled in the bottom of the case 1 and in the cover plate [4 is a pinion H, which not only meshes with the gear 8 but also with a thinner pinion l8 located under a portion of the gear 8 and being suitably secured to the upper end of the steering column 5. The gear I8 is located in a shallow pocket I 9 in the bottom of the cas 1 into which pocket a portion of the thicker pinion ll extends.

The cover plate 14 is secured to the case I by suitable securing means 20.

Obviously, upon turning of the wheel H, the thick pinion I! will be rotated and the thin pinion 18, in turn, will rotate the shaft 5 to an increase in comparison to the movement of the steering wheel I I.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

In a steering apparatus including a steering wheel and a steering column, gear means between the wheel and column, said gear means comprising a large gear for attachment to the steering wheel and'a pinion for attachment to the steering column, and clamp members on the large gear for engagement with the usual spokes of the steering wheel.

ALBERT H. KEMPER. 

